May 24, 2010

PULLMAN, Wash. - The Washington State University Athletic Foundation announced Monday that it is more than halfway to its goal of 10,000 donors. As of the end of April, Athletics has 6,457 donors in this fiscal year with 5,361 of those giving more than $100 to become a "Cougar Club member."

"The Athletic Department has a number of major projects on the table, but I was especially pleased to inherit the 10/10/10 initiative," WSU Athletics Director Bill Moos said. "As we approach the end of our fiscal year on June 30, 2010, it is absolutely imperative that we make progress in covering the costs of our annual scholarship bill. When we can't cover scholarship costs with annual donations, it puts us behind our Pac-10 competitors in a significant way."

The Student-Athlete scholarship bill for the 2009 fiscal year was more than $6 million, offset by donations of almost $3 million, resulting in a $3 million gap. This gap is covered by Athletic Department operating expenses that would otherwise be directed toward sport program improvements. With tuition increasing by 14 percent in each of the next two fiscal years, the 10/10/10 Initiative is attempting to narrow the scholarship gap between costs and donations.

"We are not asking for our supporters to contribute beyond their means," Associate Athletics Director/Development Chris Walker said. "We have 160,000 addressable alumni in our database, and if all those Cougs gave at a level which would be within their budget, then WSU Athletics would take a significant step forward in its ability to provide the resources necessary to compete for championships in the Pac-10 in all of our sports."

Throughout the year, there are a multitude of ways in which the Athletic Foundation conducts outreach to donors. Past donors were solicited via an end-of-year mailing in December and through season ticket renewal mailings. The Athletic Foundation solicits new pools of donors through the Call-a-Coug program, and through various other touches like email, fundraising events, and in-game promotion throughout the year. An end-of-fiscal-year message from Bill Moos is being mailed this month, and the Athletic Foundation staff will be soliciting gifts at 11 events around the state between May and June. Additionally, a first-year volunteer phone drive has already begun in several markets around the state.

Those interested in helping the Athletic Foundation meet this ambitious goal have a number of options to consider. At the official website of the WSU Athletic Foundation, wsuathleticfoundation.com, an individual can click on the "Contribute" link to donate online. They may also call 877-IMA-COUG during business hours to speak with a representative of the Athletic Foundation about giving options. Finally, they could simply mail a check for a minimum of $100 to the WSU Athletic Foundation at P.O. Box 641602, Pullman, WA, 99164-1602.

The 10/10/10 initiative's goal is to have the WSU Athletic Foundation membership level reach 10,000 by Oct. 10, 2010. For more information on the 10/10/10 initiative visit wsuaf10-10-10.com.